AFBF: Earmark Broadband Funds For Rural America

In comments to two federal agencies, AFBF stated that broadband service would bolster rural communities and families by giving them enhanced access to health care, education and business opportunities.

The Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities Service and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration requested comments on both allocation of the funding and implementation of new broadband services. In response, AFBF pointed out that the intent of Congress in recently passed legislation was to provide broadband services to unserved and underserved areas of the nation.

Advertisement

“America’s farmers and ranchers need viable rural communities for the goods and services required for their agricultural operations,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “They also need affordable high-speed broadband service to access markets, weather reports, and government agencies.”

The letter noted that unserved and underserved areas that lack access to a modern high-speed telecommunications infrastructure are predominantly in rural America and called for the vast majority of funds to be allocated to meet the needs of those communities. These same communities often lack access to the capital necessary to address infrastructure needs, making broadband access even more critical.

MORE BY MATT HOPKINS

“Connecting unserved and underserved rural communities to high-speed, affordable broadband services should be a funding priority” when grant applicants are considered, according to AFBF.

Top Articles
Integrating Data-Driven Solutions for Fine-Tuned Climate Control in Indoor Farming

AFBF also noted that retail price should be one of the primary considerations when awarding funding. In rural areas, broadband service must be affordable for the majority of businesses and residents to benefit from subscribing to the service.

0

Leave a Reply

Avatar for fgJZrErQ fgJZrErQ says:

547174 158611 An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe which you need to write a lot more on this subject, it may well not be a taboo topic but typically folks are not enough to speak on such topics. Towards the next. Cheers 421713